Devotion leads to good times

Put the entire population of Monroe and West Monroe together, and you won't even hit 80,000.

When the Krewe of Janus rolled its Mardi Gras parade through the streets of the Twin Cities on Feb. 2, the population more than doubled.

Monroe police said more than 200,000 revelers celebrated during the Twin Cities' Krewe of Janus Parade, likely the largest crowd in the 30-year history of the event.

The weather had much to do with that. A balmy spring-like Saturday in February, with temperatures in the 60s, provided every reason to get out of the house.

But moreso, the reputation of the krewe, developed over 29 years, of providing a fun and safe event has built the annual parade into the signature event of northeastern Louisiana.

The krewe goes out of its way to be family friendly, including a parade at Pecanland Mall the morning of the parade for children so small that parents may not feel they'll be safe in the frenzy along the streets. The children make up the parade in wagons, trikes and on foot, throwing beads and participating in their own special way.

Before the big parade, the visitors eat and shop - especially along Antique Alley in West Monroe. Others connect with family and friends, with grills smoking away along the parade route.

And at 6 p.m., one of the best Mardi Gras parades outside of New Orleans rolled.

Police agencies from all across northeastern Louisiana complemented Monroe and West Monroe police and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office, and even with 200,000 people jostling for beads, police say the revelers were festive but well-behaved, with only two people arrested.

After the parade, families went home to admire their bounty of beads, adults may have found their way to busy taverns and nightclubs, adding to the economic windfall of the day.

The krewe already has begun planning for next year. There are suggestions, some voiced on social networks, that the krewe could designate a special alcohol-free zones for families who feel uncomfortable in the crowd. It's a point worth considering next year, similar to past efforts to set aside a special place for handicapped revelers to view the parade.

But before the glow of the floats fade too far in the memory, the community should thank krewe members. The good times wouldn't roll without their devotion and hard work.

The editorials in this column represent the opinions of The News-Star's editorial board, composed of President and Publisher David B. Petty, Executive Editor Kathy Spurlock and community representatives Kay Kellogg Katz, Harris Brown and Will Sutton.

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Devotion leads to good times

Put the entire population of Monroe and West Monroe together, and you won't even hit 80,000.When the Krewe of Janus rolled its Mardi Gras parade through the streets of the Twin Cities on Feb. 2, the